PROJECT TITLE

Boiling Temperature with Salt

PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT

To find out how table salt affects the boiling
temperature of water.

HYPOTHESIS
Adding table salt to boiling water will cause
the water to boil at a higher temperature.

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

Table Salt
Distilled Water
2 Quart Cooking Pot
Pint measuring cup
Teaspoon and tablespoon measuring
spoons
Thermometer
Stirring spoon

The Effect of Salt on the

Boiling Temperature of Water

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
INITIAL OBSERVATION
Cooking instructions tell you to add salt to water
before boiling it.

1. Boil one quart of distilled water on a stove.

2. Measure the temperature of the boiling
water. Record the highest temperature
reading. This is the control to compare
with.

3. Measure out table salt using a kitchen

measuring spoon. Level the spoonful.
4. Add the measured salt to the boiling water
and stir.
5. Measure the temperature of the boiling
water with the salt in it. Record the highest
temperature reading.
6. Repeat for other amounts of salt.

If the thermometer extends beyond the outside

of the pot it reads a higher temperature. Heat
from the stove burner makes the thermometer
read higher. Keep the thermometer over the pot
when making temperature measurements.
CALCULATIONS

DATA
Data Obtained: 2/25/95, Mankato, MN
Amount of boiling water
2 Cups

Total
#1:
Total
#2:

amount of table salt added for Run

0 + 1 = 1 Tbl.
amount of table salt added for Run
1 + 1 = 2 Tbl.

Temperature of boiling water (control) 212.9 F

RESULTS

Amount of table salt added to boiling

water: Run #1

Temperature of boiling water

(Control)

Temperature of boiling water after

adding salt: Run #1
Additional amount of table salt added
to boiling water: Run #2
Temperature of boiling water after
adding salt: Run #2

1 Tbl.
215.6 F

Amount of table salt added to boiling

water: Run #1

212.9 F
1 Tbl.

1 Tbl.

Temperature of boiling water after

adding salt: Run #1

215.6 F

218.3 F

Total amount of table salt added to

boiling water: Run #2

2 Tbl.

Temperature of boiling water after

adding salt: Run #2

218.3 F

EXPERIMENTAL OBSERVATIONS
When the salt was added to boiling water it
bubbled up more, and then stopped boiling.
Shortly afterwards, it boiled again.

Amount of Table Salt Added Versus Water

Boiling Temperature

RELATED QUESTIONS

CONCLUSIONS

Is the hypothesis correct?

Yes. Adding table salt to water causes the
water to boil at a higher temperature.
Problems with doing the experiments.
The temperature readings were hard to
make. Gloves had to be worn to keep my
hands from getting too hot. Had to be
careful that the stove heat was not hitting
the thermometer.
Other things learned.
Be careful when adding salt to boiling
water. It makes the water boil vigorously
for a second or two.

Why do you think cooking instructions tell

you to add salt when boiling water?
When the water is hotter, you can cook
food faster. Salt also makes the food taste
better.